Preparations for 2025 SCO summit in full swing: Foreign Ministry official

China is comprehensively advancing all preparatory work for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit to be held in the northern Tianjin Municipality this autumn, said Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Liu Bin.

Assuming the rotating presidency of the SCO for 2024-2025,, China has been putting together more than 100 events in political, security, economic, and people-to-people fields under the theme of "Upholding the Shanghai Spirit: SCO on the Move."

Considered the most significant annual event of the SCO, the summit serves as a platform for leaders of member states to consult and make decisions on major issues concerning the organization's development and cooperation.

"China, for the time being, is comprehensively advancing all preparatory work, working closely with all parties to draft cooperation plans in political, security, economic, and cultural fields, as well as formulating the SCO's development strategy for the next decade. Efforts are being made to push for the organizational operations, enhance the decision-making efficiency, and discuss significant matters such as the organization's future expansion. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. Therefore, the summit will present a unified voice on major international and regional issues and adopt relevant important documents," Liu said in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV) in Beijing.

Following Shanghai, Beijing and Qingdao, Tianjin will become the fourth Chinese city to host the SCO summit. "Tianjin is a base for advanced manufacturing research and development in China, a northern hub for international shipping, a demonstration zone for financial innovation and operations, a pilot zone for reform and opening up, and a core city in the Bohai Economic Rim. It boasts over 600 years of history as well as an open, diverse and inclusive culture. Holding the SCO summit in Tianjin will surely bring cooperation opportunities of Chinese modernization to the SCO, while showcasing the latest achievements and vitality of China's economic and social development. We believe that the Tianjin summit will present world-class standards and unique value, creating a gathering characterized by friendship, unity, vibrant highlights, and fruitful outcomes," said Liu.

In recent years, the SCO has incorporated new members who recognize the Shanghai Spirit, which is defined by mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development.

Now, with nine member states, three observer states and 14 dialogue partners, the SCO is the world's largest regional organization in terms of geographical scale and population.

Preparations for 2025 SCO summit in full swing: Foreign Ministry official

Preparations for 2025 SCO summit in full swing: Foreign Ministry official

Expelled South African Ambassador to the United States Ebrahim Rasool said on Sunday that he returned home with "no regrets".

Rasool and his wife Rosieda Shabodien received a hero's welcome by hundreds of supporters after emerging in the arrivals terminal of Cape Town International Airport.

"Rosieda and I have just traveled about 32 hours from the United States via Doha to Cape Town. It was not our choice to come home, but we come home with no regrets," he told the welcoming crowd.

Earlier this month, Rasool, 62, was declared "persona non grata" by the U.S. after Secretary of State Marco Rubio called him a "race-baiting politician who hates America". It followed earlier remarks the ambassador had made during a webinar hosted by the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection, a South African think tank, in which he criticized President Donald Trump.

Addressing around 300 supporters at the airport, Rasool stated that while being labeled a "persona non grata" was meant to humiliate him, the warm reception turned it into a badge of honor.

He said that the United States took action to expel him in attempt to undermine South Africa's resolve to pursue an independent foreign policy, but South Africa will not change its stance under external pressure, and will continue to uphold independence and firm principles in international affairs.

Rasool said that South Africa has to rebuild and mend its relationship with the United States, as the foundation of relations between the two countries lies in their people, not merely in government-to-government exchanges.

Expelled South African ambassador to US returns home with 'no regrets'